ABSTRACT Since the clarinet was invented, collaboration between composers and virtuosos in the instrument has been essential for showcasing and enhancing the instrument's technical and musical capabilities. The connections between Mozart and Stadler, Weber and Baermann, and Brahms and Mulfeld extended beyond the solo masterpieces of these composers for the clarinet. These collaborations also include the orchestral parts dedicated to the instrument in their major works. Some of the most challenging music for the clarinet can be found in symphonic literature, and the successful performance of these excerpts in an audition is the key requirement for clarinetists to join this selected musical ensemble. Therefore, this study aims to identify the most requested excerpts for principal clarinet in auditions for major orchestras in the United States and to offer the pedagogical approach of Dr. D. Ray McClellan, considering the style, practice methodology, and exercises to optimize the clarinetist practice. At the end of this document, Dr. McClellan also provides advice to help the clarinetists manage anxiety during the different phases of the audition process. INDEX WORDS: Orchestral Excerpts, Principal Clarinet, Orchestra Audition, Major Orchestras, Clarinet Pedagogy